Moment lightning sets tree on fire during footy match as wild weather lashed Victoria

A footy match had to be called off after lightning set a tree on fire as Victoria was smashed with wild weather.

GFL electricity clash amid chaotic weather in Victoria. Picture: Supplied.

The moment lightning struck a tree and set it on fire was captured on camera during a major football match in Victoria, amid wild weather across the state.

The photo, which was captured by a spectator during a GFL clash between Lara and St Joseph’s at Bisinella Oval north of Geelong, showed a tree as it was struck by a bolt of lightning.

It caught alight next to multiple cars parked next to the football oval.

A bolt of lightning struck . Picture: Supplied.

The lightning was coming so close to the game, the clash had to be called off in the third quarter.

Victoria has been rocked by wild weather over the past few days, with parts of Melbourne battered by a freak hailstorm, heavy downpours and lightning.

The storm hit suburbs in Melbourne’s north including Thornbury, Northcote, Preston, Coburg and Reservoir around 4pm on Saturday.

Check out the hail storm at Mickleham not long ago! 😲
🎥 Sahar Raf#Melbourne#melbweather#melbourneweather#weatherupdate#weather#hail#[e-mail]/fYuZGGIGeZ

— Victorian Storm Chasers (@VicStormChasers) August 13, 2022

Afternoon ⛈️lightning up the #Melbourne sky (pic taken by Connor in Albert Park). Small hail observed from several storm cells. Showers and storms are expected to continue into the evening in southern parts of #Victoria.

Latest #VicWeather & Warnings: https://t.co/YzoVdmXY6cpic.twitter.com/8lsLRZvt9i

— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) August 13, 2022

The Bureau of Meteorology said the hail was triggered by a low pressure system from “several cell storms”.

The hail, which was circulating in videos on social media, covered pavements and entire sports fields across the region.

But the weather chaos is not over in the state, with rain expected over the next seven days in Melbourne.